entry 50. the key.
entry 50.
(written Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 10:59pm)For weeks, perhaps months, I’ve been wanting to get back to writing these photoblogs. A busy schedule, a multitude of projects and unmovable commitments had me pulled in other directions. Tonight, however, I’m finally sitting down to express the thoughts I’ve been cultivating for a week.
Last week I took myself out on an “artist’s date”. I’ve been trying to do that weekly. Sometimes I go to a museum or gallery, sometimes I sit and write, or visit the library, or I enjoy a nice lunch at my favorite local haunt [Vardo Cafe], or just some quiet time by the sea. Last week I went for a hike.
It was a last minute choice, this hike. I was in the valley for the entire day and the meetings I had scheduled all fell through, which left me with about 3 hours open in my schedule. I brought my notebook along with me, not knowing when I left at 6am that I would have so much free time. But fate has a way of working some things out easily. And so, I decided what I needed was a quiet place to write. I didn’t know where to go so I drove around, knowing I would know the spot when I found it.
Which, of course, I did. I spontaneously exited the freeway near Eagle Rock (the actual rock), parked, and set off on foot to see if I could get to the top of the rock.
The path was steep in places and had signs of washing out. I was scared because one should not hike alone on a foreign path…but I just kept walking, all the while keeping my fears at bay.
The scenery grew more and more beautiful the further I went. What is most of the year a dry desert landscape was unusually lush and green. I marveled at my surroundings, and something curious happened: I forgot that I was afraid.
Suddenly, the path ended. There were no trespassing signs everywhere, and I started to wonder where I had landed.
There were 5 chairs set up at the top and about a dozen keys attached to an old piece of chain link fence. [I don’t know what the keys were there for, but they danced in the wind, making the most delightful little clinking noises against the fence.] There was a small notebook in a plastic bag with a pencil, the names of other travelers scribbled inside.
This is the view from that vista.
I have no idea what brought the others there - but for me, I soon realized I went there for a clarity of vision. I wanted to view my life from the highest point possible, metaphorically speaking. I wanted to review where I was, where I could reasonably go, and also where I could go if only I dared to dream big enough.
I wrote plans and ideas down while looking over the valley and freeways below.
I don’t know what life has in store for me, but sitting there under a tree, at the top of a grand vista, with the freeways below, I had an unshakable feeling that it’s all going to be ok.
And it will be ok - it’ll be even better just as soon as I finish my website overhaul. Which, is what I’m off to do now.
…and so I return to the fun work of re-imagining my website.
Sweet dreams.
Liz
